SAN ANTONIO — Gov. Rick Perry lashed out Tuesday at a plan by President Barack Obama that would effectively let local Texas school districts circumvent the state’s decision to not compete for millions in education reform dollars.

Briefs

Obama singled out Texas on Tuesday while outlining a proposed $1.35 billion expansion of the “Race to the Top” education grant program, which Perry has denounced as a federal takeover of public schools.

The program is currently only available to states, but Obama’s proposal would let local school districts compete directly for funding down the road.

“Innovative districts like the one in Texas whose reform efforts are being stymied by state decision-makers will soon have the chance to earn funding to help them pursue those reforms,” said Obama, speaking at a Virginia elementary school.

Perry pounced on that comment later in San Antonio.

“If you need any evidence that the federal government is bound and determined to intrude even farther into state affairs, look no farther than today’s news,” he said.

Ex-U.S. Secretary of State backs Hutchison

HOUSTON — Former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker endorsed U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison on Tuesday in her bid to unseat Gov. Rick Perry.

Baker, appearing with Hutchison at the Greater Houston Pachyderm Club, a GOP group, said he’s backed Perry in the past but thinks after nine years in office, the Republican governor should go.

“I supported Rick Perry,” Baker said. “I’m not going to stand up here and trash him. I believe nine years is enough. Nine years is longer than anybody has served as governor of this state.”

mistress says minister admitted killing wife

WACO — The state rested its case Tuesday in the murder trial of a Texas minister whose ex-mistress testified that he drugged his wife, handcuffed her to the bed under the guise of spicing up their marriage, then smothered her with a pillow until she died.

Vanessa Bulls said Matt Baker, then a Baptist preacher, had talked about killing his wife and making it look like a suicide. His wife, Kari Baker, had previously attempted suicide, Bulls said.

Bulls said she never reported his plans or the murder to authorities because she was afraid of exposing the affair that she said began about two months before Kari Baker’s 2006 death.

Bulls, 27, also said she was afraid of being arrested for not stopping Baker.

French braid brings end to Texas follicle fight

MESQUITE — A 4-year-old Dallas-area boy disciplined for having long hair has returned to his class with a brand new ’do.

Pre-kindergartner Taylor Pugh rejoined his classmates at his suburban elementary school Tuesday.

Elizabeth Taylor says her son’s hair is just as long as ever, but now she’s styled it in a double French braid pinned up at the base of his neck.

The school principal approved the style.

The boy, who prefers the nickname “Tater Tot,” typically wears his hair long and had been sequestered from classmates at Floyd Elementary School in Balch Springs since late November.